A new solar energy program will help Mirvac home buyers save up to 90 per cent of their power bills using built-in solar and battery storage in solar included homes.
Solar panel and battery storage systems are part of a range of power-saving applications featured in the joint Mirvac-Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) venture.
In a first for Australia’s clean energy industry, the CEFC is providing up to $90 million to support Mirvac’s plan. Mirvac is one of Australia’s leading urban property groups.
First and new home buyers in Sydney and Brisbane will have access to state-of-the-art three and four-bedroom homes across three Mirvac residential developments.
Ready-to-go 5.1 kW rooftop solar systems and matching 10 kWh battery systems will help residents meet up to 90 per cent of the average household’s energy consumption.
Solar included homes: energy storage offers lifetime savings
Because Australian homes have an average lifespan of almost 50 years, these cutting-edge homes offer a lifetime of lower energy costs and carbon emissions.
And because the technology is embedded during construction, it can deliver long-term benefits without additional installation cost to the householder.
After planning approval, construction should start later in 2018.
First homes built under the scheme would then be ready to buy and occupy by late 2019, according to Mirvac. Homes will also feature quality insulation, LED lighting and energy efficient appliances.
The CEFC says solar energy storage and sustainability features is the ‘new normal’ for net zero carbon Australian homes.
Smarter building design and clean energy features will therefore give home owners far greater control over their energy use.
Australians embrace widespread solar power
Uptake of solar panels and home battery storage soared in 2017. The Clean Energy Regulator registered installation of an average 9,500 rooftop solar panels each day, with larger capacity systems favoured.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Australians also invested in more than 1 GW of new rooftop solar last year.
With more householders now seeking solar quotes, the sale of storage batteries also surged. An extra 3,147 solar battery systems were installed in 2017.
Mirvac is currently testing a ‘house with no bills’ in Melbourne’s middle suburbs. The smart-tech home features solar panels and energy storage.
Over 12 months, the experiment will test whether a family can live in the house without racking up gas or electricity bills.
